The Department of Psychology has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral fellow (2 years) in environmental psychology in the highly interdisciplinary research project CIRCOMOD.

The position is part of a four years interdisciplinary research project funded by the Horizon Europe program of the European Commission. NTNU is a partner in this project and Prof. Dr. Christian A. Klöckner represents the Department of Psychology in this project. Below you can find a short description of the project:

Material consumption forms the foundation of human development and flourishing. With increasing populations and expanding wealth, global material consumption has seen a precipitous increase. This flow of materials includes chemicals, food, fuel, and so-called structural materials used in products (such as buildings, infrastructure, and appliances). The so-called ‘linear model’ from extraction via manufacturing and use to disposal has led to resource depletion and waste generation. Moreover, the massive use and production of materials are also associated with the extensive use of energy. In this context, the ‘circular economy’ has been presented as an alternative to the current linear model. It aims to reduce primary material consumption by 1) reducing the amount of material input, 2) keeping products and material longer in use, and 3) recovering or recycling materials and reducing losses.

The CIRCOMOD project aims develop a new generation of advanced models and model-based scenarios that can analyse the impact of future material use along with the contribution of various circular economy strategies and policies on GHG emission mitigation. Such an ambitious project requires insights across many different research domains. For example, insights into material production and use chains (stocks and flows), how technologies and societies may develop (including both the supply and demand of materials), possible CE measures, relationships with macro-economic development, and GHG mitigation.

To accomplish this, the CIRCOMOD project brings together a unique consortium of leading research teams from relevant science communities, including industrial ecology and material flow modelling, macro-economic modelling, and more process-oriented integrated assessment models. CIRCOMOD aims to: 1) represent circular economy measures for all relevant services, industrial sectors and materials, 2) link different leading models in a comprehensive analysis framework, 3) establish a research hub to systematically share data and research insights, and 4) represent the impact of circular economy strategies in climate scenarios used by policymakers and the IPCC.

The role of the Department of Psychology will be to give input to the demand-side modelling: Together with other project partners, we will assess the potential for stock-flow related behavioural change of citizens (demand reduction, life span extension, replacing of products) for key behaviours in different world regions. The potential of circular economy strategies relies not only on technical feasibility but also on consumer behaviours. This requires knowledge on the plasticity of consumer behaviour under different cultural and geographical conditions, which is only partly available and biased to western countries and certain behaviours. We will summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge from behavioural science (psychology, behavioural economy, sociology) on behavioural plasticities, drivers and barriers for the most important options studied in CIRCOMOD. We will also identify knowledge gaps of specific behaviours or regions. Subsequently, we will provide novel assessment by empirical work, including surveys and online experiments of behavioural plasticities, drivers, and barriers for regions and behaviours.

You will report to Head of Department.

Duties of the position

  • Coordination with the other international partners of CIRCOMOD
  • Conducting a thorough literature study on plasticity of consumer behaviours related to circular economy practices
  • Design, implementation, and analysis of a quantitative survey to measure plasticities for selected behaviours and countries
  • Contribution to the design and analysis of behavioural experiments to assess plasticities
  • Writing scientific publications about the research results
  • Representation of the project on international conferences
  • Representation of the project towards the stakeholders
  • Support in project administration

Required selection criteria

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in psychology or related behavioural science. A corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required if you apply without a Norwegian degree. In order to be considered for the position, the applicant must have submitted their PhD thesis by the application deadline. They must have obtained a public defense by the time the postdoc position is admitted.

  • Good knowledge and experience in behavioral science, preferably within some of the following areas: environmental psychology, social psychology, or cognitive psychology
  • Experience with complex quantitative analysis methods
  • Experience in survey work and analysis
  • Fluency in written and spoken English
  • Experience with scientific publishing

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

  • Experience in interdisciplinary work will be regarded as an advantage
  • Personal suitability to enter cross-disciplinary research teams. Suitable candidates should have the ability to cooperate, have good communication skills, be flexible and solution-oriented
  • Knowledge of central concepts or models in collaborating disciplines like behavioural economy or sociology will be an advantage


    Additional information you can find here.